• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Simply Designing with Ashley

  • DIY
  • Oils
  • Recipes
  • Craft
  • Travel
  • Decor
  • Holiday
menu icon
go to homepage
  • DIY
  • Oils
  • Recipes
  • Craft
  • Travel
  • Decor
  • Holiday
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY
  • Oils
  • Recipes
  • Craft
  • Travel
  • Decor
  • Holiday
×

Pregnancy #6 : Week 17-18 Update

Published: May 25, 2016 by Ashley Phipps · 1028 words. · About 6 minutes to read this article. · 6 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads and sponsored posts · This blog uses cookies · See our privacy policy for more info Filed Under: Family, Trisomy 18 Baby

At 17 weeks my family traveled to Florida.  My husband had a trip for work and the kids and I tagged along.  It was still chilly in Indiana and we were excited to get a little sun!  We had so much fun seeing the Everglades and going to lots of beaches.  Snorkeling and enjoying the sand, sun and fresh air.  While we were in Florida, I had a bit of a pregnancy scare.  Since I have lost a few babies, I feel like I am on edge all the time.  I definitely worry about everything.

While we were at a beach in the Florida Keys, my husband and kids were out snorkeling.  I had just gotten out of the water and stepped on a rock to watch them.  The rock looked fine.  It was fairly flat and didn't look like it had algae or moss on it.  It appeared to be a safe place to step.

But as soon as I stepped on it, I slipped.  I couldn't catch my balance.  And I fell.  Hard.

I was embarrassed.  (just being real!)  In pain.  And worried.

I know falling when pregnant can be bad.  And it initially had me really worried.  So obviously I went to google to find out more (why do we do that!?).  Upon doing a little reading, I realized that most likely, the baby and I were fine.  Despite being sore of course.  I had no weird or worrisome symptoms so I decided to just try not to worry and enjoy the rest of my vacation.

Because I was only 17 weeks, I had only felt the baby move on occasion and they were not super strong movements.  So I hoped and prayed I would feel movement to help me feel more comforted.  But I didn't.

For two days I felt nothing. 

Or maybe I did.  It was so hard to tell sometimes.

But movements weren't consistent anyway so it didn't necessarily mean anything.  So I decided to try to trust my gut.  And my gut and heart told me two things: one, everything was probably ok, and two, if it wasn't ok, there was nothing that we could do anyway because I was only 17 weeks.

Thankfully on day three, as I was traveling home, I felt distinct movement.  And I felt really relieved.

On Mother's Day, at officially 18 weeks, we left Florida to come back home.  I got the reassuring feeling of baby movement and the knowledge that there is a really good chance that in early October we will be welcoming a little sweet baby girl into our family.

Here is an updated photo of me at 18 weeks pregnant:

18 Weeks Pregnant

And yes, at 18 weeks I am still feeling sick.  I am still tired but don't need a nap every day.  I am starting to think about buying things for a baby, but still can't bring myself to buy anything yet, I still worry that I could have to return them.  But I am getting a little more excited and a little less worried as I go along.

The fear that accompanies pregnancy after loss is so very really though.  It makes it hard to be excited, and it makes it hard to want to share the news that we are expecting with anyone.  So if you see me and I don't look thrilled or don't talk about being pregnant or bring it up, it's because I am still fighting a real, tangible worry that comes along with being pregnant after so many losses.

I am also hyper sensitive to those around me who have also experienced loss.  I am sensitive to them finding out that I am expecting because I know how hard it can be to see everyone around you getting pregnant when you have had a loss.  But I also know that it is possible to compartmentalize it and it is very possible to be very happy for those who get pregnant even when you aren't.  I have been there, I have done that, and I hope and pray for those going through that that they can find the peace I did.  But as those friends of mine find out, I am so sensitive to how they must be feeling.  I try not to make a big deal out of it even though it is a big deal.  In essence, we have been trying for another baby for over 4 years.

Four years, two miscarriages, one Trisomy 18 baby we lost at 28 weeks, and one, hopefully viable, healthy, pregnancy.

We are excited though because at 19.5 weeks, we get to have our ultrasound!  Woot woot!  So we will be able to see our little nugget, and make sure that everything looks good.  Despite all of the genetic screenings we have done, I have hope that seeing that everything also looks good on an ultrasound will give us a greater sense of peace.   I can't wait to have the ultrasound and to share the results with you!

But in the mean time, we are keeping our fingers crossed, our hopes high, and prayers said that we will get to welcome a little baby girl into our family around October 9, 2016.

***Also a big THANK YOU to everyone who has been praying right along with us.  The encouraging thoughts, words, congratulations and prayers mean so much to us.  So thank you.

 

Here are all the posts in this series about our family's journey:

Finding Out... {part 1}
Finding Out... {part 2}
Finding Out... {part 3}
20 Week Doctor Appointment {Our Trisomy 18 Baby}
Fetal Echo {Our Trisomy 18 Baby}
I Choose Joy! {Our Trisomy 18 Baby}
Where to Lay our Baby Down to Rest {Our Trisomy 18 Baby}
Today we Mourn the Loss {Our Trisomy 18 Baby}
Not Compatible with Life, but Compatible with Joy {Part 1}
Without the Rain there Would Never be Rainbows
Not Compatible with Life, but Compatible with Joy : Our Trisomy 18 Baby's Birth Story {Part 2}
"So You've Had 6 Pregnancies..."
Big News for Our Family and our 6th Pregnancy
Boy or Girl?  Pregnancy #6 : Week 12-16 Update
Pregnancy #6 : Week 17-18 Update

More Family

  • Bath Bombs Ashley final H Kids Bath Bombs 1 kids bath bombs
    Kids Bath Bombs
  • Full Time RV Living With a Family 4783 The Ultimate Guide to Full-Time RV Living With a Family 2 kids bath bombs
    The Ultimate Guide to Full-Time RV Living With a Family
  • picture of a forest with sun coming through tree branches We Moved...But Now What!? 3 kids bath bombs
    We Moved...But Now What!?
  • We Moved moving truck in front of house We Moved! 4 kids bath bombs
    We Moved!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dina Jackson

    May 26, 2016 at 11:33 am

    Sending so many hugs to you today & always. I enjoy your blog & think of you so often. You are loved & missed by me!!! Praying for you & your beautiful family.

    Reply
  2. Diana

    May 26, 2016 at 11:38 am

    So scary! I fell when I was pregnant with Kole - my sister fell when she was pregnant with her twins It is sooo scary and nerve wracking - especially when we've suffered a loss in the past. I'm SO glad you and the little nugget are okay. 🙂 Love following your story, friend. XOXO

    Reply
  3. Lois Christensen

    May 28, 2016 at 11:37 am

    I am praying for you!

    Reply
  4. Peter English

    May 31, 2016 at 12:03 am

    Hi

    Felt good that you (and your baby) are fine.. I know a couple who lost two kids and the woman got immensely depressed after that. The next time that she got pregnant, her family handled her with extreme care and precaution.

    Stay strong!

    Reply
  5. Lindsey B

    June 02, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    Oh my goodness you've been through soo much! I couldn't even imagine!! You are so strong! Congratulations on this pregnancy! I fould this post through the moonlight link up party, and I'm so happy I did! Every woman goes through so many different challenges and obstacles with pregnancy and even after that I think we all need to come out and share more often!! I was inspired by a Facebook group I joined a few weeks ago to share my story, so I'm currently sharing my experience of raising my children, up until now, 3 years in a post series the entire length of June. If you'd like to read about it here's the link: http://www.mindbodyandsoulafterbaby.com/the-real-deal-handling-life-after-children/ I'll tell you now though, it doesn't even compare to your story! I wish you best of luck and hope that you come check out my site too!! I'd love to keep in touch with you and see how everything turns out 🙂 <3 <3 I will keep you in my prayers!!

    Reply
    • Ashley Phipps

      June 02, 2016 at 3:35 pm

      Thank you so much Lindsey for your sweet words. I can't wait to check out your link, that you for sharing your story! And thank you for the prayers.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hello Friends!

Ashley Phipps Simply Designing I'm Ashley Phipps and I love sharing SIMPLE DIY, home, travel, food, craft and essential oil ideas with you! Learn more about me here. Contact me here. Find Media/PR info here. Privacy is important to us. Please read my Privacy Policy.
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Favorite Posts

Himmeli Wreath with Shamrocks

St. Patrick's Day Himmeli Wreath

body scrub recipe book

Body Scrub Recipe Book with 20 Scrumptious Recipes


COPYRIGHT: You’re welcome to link to Simply Designing or use a single image with a brief description to link back to any post. Republishing posts in their entirety is strictly prohibited.  Any use for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited. Feel free to pin on Pinterest. Find out more in my Privacy Policy.  Simply Designing with Ashley Phipps LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com . Simply Designing with Ashley Phipps LLC and it’s owner, employees and affiliates are not liable in any way for injury or loss (whether physical, emotional, monetary or any other kind of loss) resulting from any inspiration, ideas, directions or information gained from this website. We advise you to always follow manufacturer instructions, take appropriate safety precautions and hire a professional when in doubt. We love it when you use our site for inspiration, but by using it, you agree that you do so at your own risk.

Privacy Policy 

Copyright © 2023